After the PCB postponed its decision on participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, former players and Board executives united in saying that Pakistan should avoid damaging its relationship with the International Cricket Council and that any support for Bangladesh should not come at the expense of their own side.
Following Bangladesh’s ouster from the competition, Mohsin Naqvi, head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has set Friday or Monday as the deadline for announcing Pakistan’s participation or withdrawal from the T20 World Cup.
While former PCB president Khalid Mahmood and secretary Arif Ali Abbasi stated they don’t see any reason for not sending the team to the T20 World Cup, former Test captain Mohammad Hafeez insisted Pakistan must compete.
“I can understand Pakistan supporting Bangladesh but what purpose will PCB achieve by not sending its team apart from spoiling relations with the International Cricket Council and member boards,” a PTI report quoted Abbasi as saying.
Abbasi, who was employed by the PCB during the tenure of legendary figures like Jagmohan Dalmiya and Inderjit Singh Bindra, stated that Sri Lanka, the hosts, would suffer losses if Pakistan withdraws.
“What about our relations with Sri Lanka? Obviously Sri Lanka will suffer losses if Pakistan doesn’t go as all our matches are in Sri Lanka including matches with India,” he said.
According to Mahmood, the PCB’s position is commendable, but it must continue to be reasonable and focused on serving Pakistan cricket.
“We have to remember that except for Pakistan no other cricket board supported the Bangladesh demand to move matches from India. I can understand the stance taken by the Bangladesh board but it is also a fact no one supported them in the ICC meeting,” Mahmood said.
Mohsin Khan, a former head coach, ex-top selector, and former Test batsman, also urged the PCB to send the squad to the World Cup. “We have issues with India but we are playing all our matches in Sri Lanka.”
Additionally, he mentioned that he had read that the Bangladesh Board would neither contest or appeal the ICC’s decision to exclude them from the World Cup. “So then on what grounds will the PCB not send its team to World Cup. It will be bad for our cricket,” he warned.
Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said that Pakistan must consider all factors before making a decision. “I personally would like to see Pakistan compete in the World Cup. We have some good players and our cricket needs to see our team doing well in big events,” Inzamam said.
Former Test cricketer Haroon Rasheed, who served as chief selector and head coach of the senior and junior teams, said Pakistan must compete in the T20 World Cup since there was little justification to withdraw. “We supported Bangladesh which is a good thing. We took a principled stance but now is also the time to look at our own cricket interests,” he said.
